How Do I Integrate Solar Into A UAV? Integrating solar will provide additional power to a UAV that can be used to extend range or carry additional payload. Integration can be as easy or complex as you want it to be, depending on the time and materials you have available. Alta Devices solar cells can [...]
Over the weekend, Alta Devices was presented with an award by the Sunnyvale Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce for Outstanding Innovation in Solar Cell Technology. This year is the 53rd year of the annual Chamber of Commerce Murphy Awards. The awards recognize business and community accomplishments in technology, innovation and community spirit. The award presentation [...]
Space Solar cells are a necessity for power in space. Alta Devices lightweight, thin, flexible, gallium arsenide solar cells are matrixed together to form high-efficiency solar arrays that maximize power while minimizing cost and launch weight. Can You 3D Print Metal Parts in Space? Of Course Sending materials to space [...]
Hanergy Thin Film Power Group Limited today announced that Fraunhofer ISE CalLab PV Modules, a German solar energy testing laboratory, has rated its US-based subsidiary Alta Devices newest solar production module as the highest efficiency single-junction solar module ever produced. With its record setting 25.1% conversion efficiency, the module can be used to power a range of products [...]
Small satellites have disrupted the landscape of space exploration. Compared with traditional large satellites, they offer lower cost, quicker, more frequent and broader access to space. Most are used for earth observation but others are used for communications, meteorology, research and insurance. The small satellite market is booming and recent launches have seen over 80 [...]
New entrants to the commercial UAV or drone industry are often confused by the vast number of acronyms they encounter. To assist we have developed this helpful glossary of some of the most important terms: We’ve separated it into a few sections for readability; Types of UAVs, Components/Systems, Operating Modes and Regulations/Regulatory Bodies. Types [...]
The main limitation currently facing the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) market is the short flight time of these aircraft- that’s where Alta Devices comes in. Alta solar cells offer a way to capture energy while flying without compromising the weight, size, or maneuverability of an aircraft. Researchers at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) chose our [...]
Alta Devices uses Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) as the basis for our solar technology. It’s a lesser known material so we wanted to share some key information here: What is Gallium Arsenide? Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) is a semiconductor material and a compound of Gallium and Arsenic (interconnected cubic lattices). Traditionally it’s an expensive material mostly [...]
What: Imagine a technology that enables drones and UAV’s (unmanned aerial vehicles) to fly for days or months at a time, small satellites to have new designs and improved capabilities, electric cars to run more efficiently, and makes it possible to power sensors for the most important IoT (internet of things) applications without replacing batteries. [...]
Alta Devices is excited to announce that we are working with Audi to integrate solar into the roofs of Audi cars. This is the first time Audi has used Alta Devices solar in its vehicles. Audi is one of the most successful premium auto brands and also has Lamborghini and Ducati in its portfolio. In [...]